Material dispensing means



Jan. 18, 1944 HARVEY u 2,339,396

MATERIAL DISPENS ING MEANS Filed Aug. 14, 1940 [m/ewfor 120 M .H/wwr Patented Jan. is, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Merriam liti ants MEANS o, Leo M. Harvey, Los Angeles, Calif. 7 Application August 14, 1940, Serial No. 352,586

10 Claims.

This invention relates to material supplying,

delivering or dispensing means and relates more particularly to material dispensing means for use in connection with washing machines and like devices.

Many forms of mechanisms have been developed and employed to supply commercial washing machines with the detergents, sours,- bleaches, bluing, etc., for the cyclic operation of such machines. Most of these prior dispensing devices have been very complicated and expensive, usually involving a number of valves, extensive piping, complicated valve controls, etc. Further, prior dispensing means of this nature are usually such that extensive-alterations must be made to vary the character and quantities of the materials delivered to the washers and are such that extensive changes and adjustments must be made to vary the sequence of delivery oi' the materials.

A general object of this invention is to provide simple, inexpensive and dependable means for supplying and dispensing soaps, sours, ble'aches, bluing, etc. to commercial washing machines.

Another object of thisinvention is to provide .a material delivering or dispensing means of the character referred to that is adapted to deliver predetermined quantities of the material at seiected or given times as determined by a suitable timing control mechanism and that permits variations in the quantities of the material and the nature of the materials without the necessity of altering the dispensing means or of altering a valved piping system, or the like.

Another object 01 this invention is to provide a dispensing means of the character referred to adapted for remote-control by an electrical system so that the mechanical control devices such as cams, gearing, fluid pressure systems, etc., heretofore employed in certain dispensing means are not required.

Another object of this invention is to provid dispensing means of the character referred to embodying a number of containers for the detergents, etc., adapted to be individually'filled or provided with given quantities of the required materials by the operator and arranged for separate emptying or dumping by their individual controls.

Another object of this invention isto provide a dispensing means of the character referred to embodying novel material containerssupported toautomatically discharge their contents by gravity action and arranged for easy removal and replacement.

Another object of this invention is to provide a material dispensing means or the character referred to having simple and particularly effective latch mechanisms for holding the containers poised for the discharge of their contents, which embody solenoid release means adapted for control by the timing mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide material dispensing means of the character referred to comprising the combination of the latch controlled gravity operated containers and a mixing container or pre-mixing chamber that receives the contents of the said containers and receives the hot and cold water for the successive washing operations, so that the materials delivered from the containers-are fully dissolved and mixed with the water before being delivered to the washing shell.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a, typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which: V

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine provided with the improved dispensing means of the invention, showing the containers in their normal positions. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view of a portion of the machine illustrating one of the containers and its control means and showing the discharge ing position oi the container in broken linesIand Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 2.

The dispensing means of the invention is primarily intended for use on commercial washing machines which perform cyclic washing operations orstage washing operations, but may be employed on other devices carrying on cyclic or batch mixing! operations, treating operations,

and the like. In the drawing I have shown the improved dispensing means installed on a washing machine of the kind covered by co-pending applications, Serial No. 352,582, filed August 14, 1940, now matured into Patent No. 2,323,993, and Serial No. 415,907, filed Oct. '21, 1941, it being understood that this is merely a typical application of the invention and is not tobe construed as limiting or restrictive.

The washing machine illustrated in the drawing includes a frame l0 supporting the usual drum or shell ll within which the cylinder (not shown), carrying the clothes, is rotated. The shell II has the usual access door I! and a housing l3 at one end of thei'rame l0 encloses the walls of the notches occupying a; common horizontal plane. j

The containers 22 are separately or individually handled and controlled elements removably carried by the brackets 2| to empty into the premixing tank 20 upon the operation or release of member I5 is in the upper portion of the framework, being abovethe shell H. In the construction illustrated the member i5 is U-shaped in vertical cross section. having upper and lower longitudinal flanges l6 which project inwardly or rearwardly. A control mechanism I1 is mounted at one end of the frame to and has buttons l8 and other means for its controland operation. This control mechanism I'I forms the subject of another application.

The dispensing means of the present invntion may be said to comprise, generally, a mixing tank 20, a plurality of supports or brackets 2| on the frame member l5, containers 22 removably carriedby the brackets 2| and arranged to discharge into the tank20, and releasable holding means or latchmeans 23 controlled by the timing mechanism I1 and normally holding the containers 22 in upright positions.

' The tank forms a pre-mixing chamber for the detergents. etc.,-to be employed in different stages of the washing operation. The materials from the containers 22, such as soap, bleaches, sours, etc., are emptied into the tank 20 where they are mixed with water and the resultant solutions are then delivered to the shell II by a valve controlled system governed by-the mechanism H. In accordance with the invention the tank 20 is positioned in the upper portion of the machine,.being spaced above the shell II. In the arrangement illustrated the tank 20 is immediately adjacent the frame member l5 and is arranged so that its open upper end is adjacent the upper flange l6 of the member.

The brackets 2| serve topivotally and removtion to the discharge position indicated in broken ably support the containers 22. The brackets 2| are secured in elevated positions at the front of the washing machine. In the application of the invention illustrated the brackets 2| are supported on the frame member l5. There is a bank or series of brackets 2| mounted on the. member IS with the adjacent brackets in spaced relation in horizontal alignment. In practice the brackets 2| may be alike or identical. Each intermediatebracket 2| assists in supporting two adjacent containers 22 while the endmost brackets 2| each assist in supporting an and container 22. Accordingly, where there are nine containers, as illustrated, ten brackets 2| are provided to support the containers. The brackets 2| have base parts 24 bolted or otherwise flxed to the upper flange ii of the frame member I5 and the brackets are formed or shaped to'project upwardly and rearwardly from their base parts to overhang the open top of the tank 20. The upper ends of the brackets 2| are shaped to receive and support the containers 22. Vertical open-topped slots or notches "are provided in the upper portions of the brackets 2|. The brackets 2| have surfaces 28 on their upper sides or edges which slope upwardly and rearwardly to the notches 25. Prongs or fingers 21 project upwardly from the brackets 2| at the rear sides of the notches 25 and present substantially vertical front faces 28 that extend downwardly and I form the rear walls of the notches 25. The

brackets 2| are positioned so that their notches 25 are in a common vertical plane with the lower 75 or released by'momentary Operations or impulse their respective latch means 23. The containers 2 2 may be alike or identical, although the invention contemplates the provision of containers 22 of different sizes for handling given materials. The containers 22 may be of any suitable canstruction for example, they may be sheet metal members or may be cast members. The containers 22 are constructed so that theymay be readily filled or-provided with the liquid or solid materials and are shaped to quickly discharge their contents into the mixing tank 20 with little or no dripping, splashing, or the like. Assuming the containers 22 to be in their normal upright positions their front walls are substantially vertical, while their rear walls 28 slope downwardly and forwardly from their upper edges to their bottoms. The opposite sides or walls of the containers 22 are substantially vertical while the bottom. walls are substantially horizontal. A lip or rim'30 may extend along the upper edge of each container 22. It will be seen that when a container 22 swings or tips from its uprights posilines in Fig. 2. that its contents readily pour into the mixing tank 20. The sloping rear walls 28 assure the complete pouring or discharging of the contents from the containers.

Axles or pins 3| project from the opposite sides of the containers 22. The pins-3| are horizontal and lie on a common horizontal axis and are adapted to seat in the notches 25. The rocker pins or pivot pins 3| of the containers 22 are short so that each pin extends slightly less than halfway through its notch 25. Accordingly, the containers 22 may be arranged between the several spaced brackets 2| to have two pins 2| bear in the notch 25 of each intermediate bracket. The locations, of the pins 3| are such that the containers 22 tend to swing or tip rearwardly from their upright positionsto downwardly directed discharging positions. The axis occupied by a set of pins 3| is spaced forwardly and below the center of gravity of the container 22 so that gravity tends to swing the container downwardly and rearwardly about said axis.

The containers 22 are adapted to be readily arranged between the spaced brackets 2| to' have their pins 3| entered in the notches 25. The surfaces 28 serve to guide the pins upwardly and rearwardly into the notches 25 while the fingers 21 serve to limit the rearward movement of the pins and the pins may ride down the surfaces 22 to seat in the notches 25. It will be observed that the pivot pins or rocker pins 3| ofthe containers 22 are short so that they do not form hazardous projections when the containers are removed for refilling, cleaning, etc. It may be preferred to provide a bumper or bumpers 32 of a separate latch means 23 foreach container 22.

The latch means 23 include hollow cases 33 on the front of the frame member l5. The upper portions of the -cases 33 are reduced in width and have laterally projecting ears 34 which are secured to the member II! by bolts or screws 35. Latches 36 are arranged in the upper portions of the cases 33. The latches 36 may be simple arms or lever-like parts supported between the side walls of their respective cases 33 by pivot pins 31 seated in openings 38 in the walls-of the cases- The rear sides of the cases 33 are open at their upper ends and the latches 36 project rearwardly from the cases for cooperation with their respective containers 22. Beds or catch lugs 39 are formed or provided on the containers 22 to cooperate with the latches 3B. The lugs 39 are provided on the front walls of the containers 22 at or adjacent the container bottoms. In the case illustrated the lugs 39 are partsof straps 40 suitably fixed; to the bottoms of the containers. The forward faces of the lugs 39 are in the nature of cam surfaces. lugs 39 slope downwardly and rearwardly, assuming the containers to be in their upright positions. The ends of the latches 36 cooperate with the sloping faces of the lugs 39 to hold the containers 22 in their upright positions. The latches 36 act under compression as rods or stops to prevent the forward movementof the lugs 39 that must accompany downward pivoting of the rear portions of the containers.

The releasable holding means or latch means 23 further include electromagnets 4| in the cases 33. The electromagnets 4| are supported in the lower parts of the cases 33 and may be secured in place by screws 42. In the construction illustrated the magnets 4| are substantially E- shaped and positioned with their arms projecting upwardly. The coils 43 of the magnets 4| surround the intermediate magnet arms. The latches 36 are provided at their under sides with pockets or yokes 44 which receive the upper portions of substantially vertical links 45. Pins.

46 pivotally secure the links 45 in the yokes 44 with sufiicient clearance or play to permit the required arcuate movement of the latches 36 relative to the vertical links 45. The links 45 shift or ride on bosses 46projecting from the Walls of the cases 33. Means are provided for guiding the links 45 for vertical movement. Substantially vertical slots 41 are provided in the links 45 and pins or studs 48 are threaded in openings in the bosses 46 and pass through the slots 41 to guide the links 45. Nuts 49 may be provided on the studs 48 at the rear sides of the links 45 to pre- The forward faces of the tive end of the latch 33 readily clears the sloping face of its respective lug 39 and the gravitational force normally transmitted from the lug to the end of the latch resists this clearing of the latch to a minimum extent. It is preferred to round the ends of the latches 36 to better clear the lugs '39.

The controlling and energizing electrical leads 54 for the coils 43 may pass downwardly through openings 55 in the lower walls of the cases 33. A conduit 56 may be arranged on the forward face of the frame member I5 below the cases'33 to carry the leads 54 to the control mechanism ll. The leads 54 may pass through insulated openings 51 in the top of the conduit 56.

-It is believed that the operation of the dispensing means provided by this invention will be readily understood from the foregoing detailed description. The containers 22 are individually removable from the machine to be filled or provided with the detergent material, bleaches, sours, bluing or the like. The containers, are shaped and constructed to be easily handled and have not bottoms so that they may be placed on the floor or other support for filling. It is to be understood that the containers 22 may be filled or provided with the several different materials required for the washing operation and that selected or given quantities of such materials may be provided in the containers. The containers 22 are provided with the detergent materials, etc.,

prior to the washing operation or prior to given tween the brackets 2| with its pins 3| in the notches 25, it is merely allowed to settle or rest on the brackets so that its lug 39. moves against the adjacent latch 36. The latch 36 constitutes a stop which is engaged by the lug 39 to prevent the gravity container 22 from swinging to the discharge position.

Prior to a given stage of the washing operation the control mechanism [1 operates to energize the coils 43 of one or more means 23. The energization of a coil 43 results in downward shifting of the related link'45 and downward pivoting of the connected latch 36. -When a latch 36 is pivoted downwardly its forward end moves clear of vent rearward shifting or swinging of the links.

Thelower ends of the links 45 are provided with yokes 50 for carrying armatures 5|. Pins 52 may support the armatures 5| in the yokes 50. The armatures 5| oppose the upper ends of the electromagnets 4| to be attracted ordrawn downwardly thereby. Spring means are provided for normally holding the latches 36 in their active positions and for returning the latches and links 45 to their normal active positions following their release. Tension springs- 53 are connected between the studs 48 and pins 52 to urge the related lug 39 and the container 22 is freed to swing to the discharging position by gravity.

The container swings down until its wall 29 strikes the bumper 32 assuming a position such as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 2. The contents of the container immediately discharge into the pre-mixing tank 20. The washing machine mech- 29 before or during the discharging of the con-' tainer or containers 22 so that the material from the links 45 upwardly and to yieldingly hold the latches 36 in their active positions. As illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing the latches 36 slope upwardly and rearwardly from their pivot pins 31 when in cooperation with the lugs 39 ofthe consition is such that the operator is immediately made aware of the fact that the contents have been emptied into the tank 20 and that the container may be refilled. Further, the emptying of -a container 22 or the simultaneous emptying of several containers 22 may indicate a certain stage of operation of the machine. The containers 22 are easily and quickly refilled and the sequence of operations of the machine may be such that the operator has ample time to measure the re-' quired materials into the containers 22 as they are-successively emptied. The containers 22 of course may be employed to handle any required detergent or washing materials and are such that they may be cleaned at any time.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. Dispensing means for a clothes washing machine including a pair of spaced supports projecting upwardly and inwardly over the machine and bifurcated at their upper ends, a manually portable container for the material to be supplied to the machine and having an open upper end, pins projecting from the opposite sides of the container adapted to be removably seated in the bifurcations of the supports to pivotally mount the container, said pins lying in an axis spaced outwardly from the center of gravity of the container so that. the container tends to swing inwardly and downwardly from an upright position to a position where its open end is directed 2. Dispensing means for a clothes washing machine including a pair of spaced supports project-'- ing upwardly and inwardly over the machine and bifurcated at their upper ends, a container for the material to be supplied to the machine and having an open upper end, means for removably pivotally mounting the container in the bifurcated ends of said supports to pivot about an axis spaced outwardly from the center of gravity of the container so that the container tendsto swing downwardly and inwardly from an upright to a position where its open end is directed downwardly for the ,discharge of said materials into the machine, and a pivoted latch on the machine extending inwardly toward'the container to have its inner end automatically cooperate with an outer part of the container below thehorizontal' plane occupied by said means, when the. con-.

tainer is seated on said supports, to releasably hold the container in the upright position.

latch extending inwardly toward the containerto have its end cooperate with the outer face of the container below the horizontal plane occupied by said means to act under compression to releasably hold the container in the upright position, yieldable means for holding the latch in the position where its end is engaged by the outer face of the container when the container is seated on the mounting means, and electromagnetic means for pivoting the latch downwardly to free it from said part.

4. Dispensing means for a clothes washing machine including a pair of spaced supports, a container for the material to be supplied to the machine and having an open upper end, means for removably pivotally mounting the container on said supports to pivot about an axis spaced outwardly from the center of gravity of the container so that the container tends to swing downwardly and inwardly from an upright to a position where its open end is directed downwardly for the discharge of said materials, a pivoted latch extending inwardly toward the container to have its end cooperate with the outer face of thecontainer below the horizontal plane occupied by said means to act under compression to releasably hold the container in the upright position, yieldable means for holding the latch in the position where its end is engaged by the outer face of the container when the container is seated on the mounting means, and electromagnetic means for pivoting the latch downwardly to free it from said part, including a link connected with the latch, and a solenoid for operating the link.

5. Dispensing means for a clothes washing machine including a pair of spaced supports, a container for the material to be supplied to the machine and having an open upper end, means for pivotally mounting the container on said supports to pivot about an axis spaced outwardly from the center of gravity of the container so that the container tends to swing downwardly and inwardly from an upright to a position where its open end is directed downwardly for the discharge of said materials, a pivoted latch extending inwardly toward the container to have its end cooperate with the outer face of the container below the horizontal plane occupied by said means to act under compression to releasably hold the container in the upright position, and electromagnetic means for pivoting the latch downwardly to free it from said part, including a link connected with the latch, a solenoid for operating the link, and spring means for restoring the link and latch following operation of the solenoid.

6. Dispensing means for a clothes washing machine including a pair of spaced supports, the supports projecting'upwardly and inwardly over the machine having upwardly facing notches in the upper ends and guide surfaces leading to the notches, a manually portable open topped container for the material to be supplied to the machine and adapted to be arranged between the supports, pins on the container adapted to be entered into said notches to support the container for swinging by gravity to a position where the material may discharge, and a latch on the machine for releasably holding the container against such swinging made operative by the arrangement of the container on the supports.

7. A dispensing means for a clothes washing machine comprising a stationary supporting part on the machine, a container for the material to be supplied to the machine having an opening for the discharge of the material. means for removably supporting the container on said part so that it tends to swing by gravity to a position where the material will discharge fromthe opening, a latch mounted on said part for engaging the container and adapted to act under compression to hold the container against such swinging, yieldable means for holding the latch in position to have such engagement with the container when the container is engaged in the removable supporting means, and electrical means for releasing the latch from the container to permit swinging of the container to said position.

8. A dispensing means for a clothes washing machine comprising a stationary supporting structure on the machine, a manually handled container for the material to be supplied to the machine having an opening for the discharge of the material, means on said structure for supporting the container so that it tends to swing to a discharging position when filled, partially filled or empty, a releasable latch on said supporting structure for automatically latching with the container when the container is placed on the supporting structure and adapted to act under compression to prevent said swinging of the container, and means for releasing the latch from the container.

9. A dispensing means for a clothes washing machine comprising a supporting structure on the machine, a manually portable container for the material to be supplied to the machine having an opening for the discharge of the material, means for removably supporting the container so that it tends to swing to a position where the material may discharge from the opening, a pivoted latch on the supporting structure automatically engaged by the container when the container is positioned on the supporting structure and engaging with the forward face of the container below the plane occupied by the axis of said swinging to act under compression to prevent said swinging of the container, and electromagnetic means for pivoting the latch downwardly to a position clear of the container.

10. A dispensing means for a clothes washing machine comprising a supporting member on the washing machine, a container for the material to be supplied'to the machine having an opening for the discharge of the material, means for removably supporting the container sothat it tends to swing downwardly and inwardly to a position where the material may discharge from the opening, a part on the container below and outward of the axis 01 'said swinging having a pitched face, a pivoted latch on said member whose end is engaged by said face when the container is placed on the supporting means so that the latch serves to prevent said swinging of the container, and means for pivoting the latch downwardly clear 01. said face to allow said swinging of the container.

LEO M. HARVEY. 

